Guide to Standard Kitchen Cabinet Dimensions

When planning a kitchen refurbishment or replacing worn-out hardware, getting your measurements right is critical. British cabinetry generally follows regular sizing conventions, but even a difference of a few millimetres can affect whether a replacement hinge, drawer runner, or pull-out wire basket will fit correctly. Understanding common kitchen furniture measurements allows you to specify replacement components with confidence and avoid costly installation mistakes.

Standard UK Base and Wall Unit Dimensions

In standard UK joinery, base units typically have a carcass height of 720 mm. When paired with adjustable cabinet legs (usually set to 150 mm) and a 30 mm to 40 mm worktop, this delivers a finished working height of around 900 mm to 910 mm. External base unit depths are almost universally 560 mm to 570 mm to allow for a small front overhang under standard 600 mm deep worktops, alongside a rear service void for pipework.

Wall units are shallower, generally measuring 300 mm to 350 mm in total depth including doors, with heights varying between 720 mm and 900 mm. Standard unit widths across both base and wall cabinetry follow 100 mm and 150 mm increments: 300 mm, 400 mm, 500 mm, 600 mm, 800 mm, 900 mm, and 1000 mm.

Measuring Internal Dimensions for Runners and Storage

While external dimensions determine how cabinets align in a room, internal carcass dimensions determine your choice of internal fittings. UK kitchen carcasses are almost always built from 18 mm thick MFC (melamine-faced chipboard), though 15 mm and 16 mm boards are occasionally found in flat-pack ranges.

• Internal Width: Subtract the thickness of both side panels from the external width. For example, a 600 mm cabinet made with 18 mm board has an internal width of 564 mm (600 mm minus 36 mm). This calculation is essential when selecting internal wire larder mechanisms or drop-in waste bins.
• Internal Depth: Measure the clear space from the back of the front frame to the backboard. Drawer runners require a minimum internal depth; for instance, a 500 mm nominal runner typically requires at least 505 mm to 515 mm of clear internal depth to close flush.

Hinge Drilling Patterns and Door Sizing

Standard kitchen cabinet doors are manufactured 3 mm to 4 mm narrower and shorter than the external carcass frame. This provides a clean reveal and prevents rubbing against adjacent doors. A 600 mm wide base unit will therefore typically feature a door that is 596 mm or 597 mm wide.

Most modern UK cabinets use concealed European-style hinges fitting into standard 35 mm diameter hinge cups drilled into the rear of the door. The standard distance from the edge of the door to the edge of the drilled cup hole (the drilling margin or 'tab') is usually between 3 mm and 5 mm. On the carcass side, mounting plates generally align with the 32 mm system drilling holes spaced 37 mm back from the front edge.

Adjustable Plinth Legs and Levelling

Uneven floors are common in UK homes, which makes adjustable cabinet legs an indispensable hardware choice. Standard plastic kitchen legs clip directly onto the base of the cabinet using a fixing block and can be wound up or down to level the entire run. The typical adjustment range is between 140 mm and 160 mm to accommodate standard 150 mm plinth boards, ensuring kickboards clip cleanly onto the legs using compatible plinth clips.